5th National Report on Biodiversity of DPR Korea - Convention on Biological Diversity
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5th National Report on Biodiversity of
DPR Korea
5th National Report on Biodiversity of DPR Korea
Contents
Executive Summary .................................................................................................. 5
Part 1. An update on biodiversity status, trends, and threats and implications for human
well-being ..................................................................................................... 7
1.1 Impotance of Biodiversity Conservation in DPRK ......................................................7
1.2 Status and Trends of Biodiversity ......................................................................................8
1.2.1 Status of Biodiversity ........................................................................................ 8
1.2.2 Trends of Biodiversity .............................................................................. 11
1.3 Main Threats to Biodiversity ............................................................................................12
1.3.1 Overuse of natural resources ........................................................................... 12
1.3.2 Habitat loss ..................................................................................................... 13
1.3.3 Invasive alien species and environmental deterioration ................................... 13
1.3.4 Climate change ............................................................................................... 14
1.4 Impacts of the changes in biodiversity for ecosystem services and the
socio-economic and cultural implications of these impacts ......................................15
1.5 Future Changes for Biodiversity and their impacts ....................................................16
Part II: The national biodiversity strategy and action plan, its implementation, and the
mainstreaming of biodiversity ....................................................................... 17
2.1 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action plan .............................................................17
2.2 Main Actions to Implement the Convention on Biological Diversity......................18
2.2.1 National Legislations, Policies and Administrative institutions for Biodiversity
Conservation and Its Sustainable Use ............................................................ 18
2.2.2 Strengthening In –situ and Ex-situ conservation .............................................. 19
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5th National Report on Biodiversity of DPR Korea
2.2.3 Intensifying biodiversity survey and monitoring ............................................. 23
2.2.4 Strengthening the conservation and sustainable use of components of
biodiversity.................................................................................................... 24
2.2.5 Prevention and control of invasive alien species.............................................. 27
2.2.6 Strictly controlling pollution and ecological damage ....................................... 28
2.2.7 Strengthening the management of genetic resources ....................................... 30
2.2.8 Improving scientific research and training....................................................... 31
2.2.9 Enhancing public participation and educaton .................................................. 34
2.2.10 International cooperation ............................................................................... 35
2.3 Sectoral and cross-sectoral integration of biodiversity consideration .........................36
2.3.1 Forest sector .................................................................................................... 37
2.3.2 Agriculture sector ........................................................................................... 40
2.3.3 Fishery ............................................................................................................ 42
2.3.4 City administration sector ............................................................................... 43
2.3.5 Education sector .............................................................................................. 43
2.3.6 Other sectors ................................................................................................... 45
2.3.7 Overall assessment of progress in implementing NBSAP ................................ 45
Part III. Progress towards 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets and contributions to the 2015
Targets of the Millennium Development Goals. .............................................. 47
3.1 Progress in the Implementation of 2020 Biodiversity Strategic Plan and Aichi
Biodiversity Targets. .......................................................................................................47
3.2 Progress toward achievement of 2015 Millenium Development Goals......................59
3.3 The experiences learned in the implementation of convention in DPRK ...................59
3.3.1 The experiences .............................................................................................. 60
3.3.2 The further activities at national and global level ............................................ 61
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5th National Report on Biodiversity of DPR Korea
Appendix I. Information Concerning Reporting Party and Preparation of National
Report ......................................................................................................... 63
A. Reporting party ....................................................................................................................63
B. Information on the preparation of the report ....................................................................64
Appendix Ⅱ. Further sources of information ......................................................... 66
Appendix III. Progress towards the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation ............... 69
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5th National Report on Biodiversity of DPR Korea
Executive Summary
Since the preparation of the 4th report, the Working Group for preparing the 5th National Report
of DPR Korea was organized in accordance with the Article 26 of the CBD and the X/10 of COP
with the involvement of several relevant agencies including the Ministry of Land & Environment
Protection (MLEP), Ministry of Forestry (MOFr), Ministry of Fisheries (MOFs), Ministry of
Agriculture (MOA) and Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), and the preparation has been conducted
under the supervision of the State Academy of Sciences (SAOS), authorized by the National
Coordinating Committee for Environment (NCCE), DPR Korea.
2 rounds of national workshops, 4 rounds of thematic consultations and 8 rounds of sectoral
expert meetings at national and local levels were conducted to coordinate and make agreements
between several relevant agencies in relation to the preparation of the 5th national report.
Above-mentioned workshops and meetings were participated by officials and experts from
SAOS, MLEP, MOA, MOFr, Ministry of Education (MOE), MOPH, MOFs, and Bureau for
National Legacies Conservation and Hydro-meteorological Service.
Lots of data were collected and summarized according to the guideline for the preparation of
the 5th report, focusing on the progress in implementing the National Biodiversity Strategy and
Action Plan (NBSAP) during the period of 2010 –2013.
More than 20 years have elapsed since the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity
(CBD) on June 5, 1992 at the Earth Summit on Environment and Development (the Rio “Earth
Summit”), and during the period global strategic plans for the conservation of biodiversity and the
sustainable use of its components were developed several times.
The degradation of ecosystem and the loss of biodiversity are, however, being continued owing
to the population growth, unsustainable use of resources, activities for economic development,
intensifying climate change, land desertification and so on, all of which are still threatening human
existence and safety.
The COP10(2010), therefore, presented the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and
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5th National Report on Biodiversity of DPR Korea
Aichi Biodiversity Targets on the basis of the past experiences and lessons.
The Strategic plan and Aichi Targets highlighted, first of all, the importance of public
awareness on the value of biodiversity and the way of its conservation and sustainable use, thus
enabling them to contribute to the sustainable economic development.
In this context, the Government of DPR Korea has promoted the updating and implementation
of its own NBSAP to contribute to achieving specific targets in global strategy. In order to achieve
the goals for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, the Government set forth the followings
as important tasks and concentrated all efforts on;
accelerating the national afforestation and gardening,
restoring degraded forests within 10 years, increasing natural reserve areas gradually,
establishing the national reserve network system, and
thus improving and strengthening the reserve management and conservation of ecosystem,
species and genetic diversity.
The 5th national report consists of Executive Summary, 3 Parts and Appendixes.
Part I provides the significance of biodiversity conservation, major recent changes in and
threats to biodiversity, their impacts on ecosystem services and socio-economic and cultural
consequences, and possible future changes and their impacts.
Part II describes the implementation of NBSAP, and its contribution towards the
implementation of Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020.
It highlights priorities for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in DPR Korea, updates
of the NBSAP and biodiversity targets, how the NBSAP includes global targets and contribute to
promoting the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, and how effectively the biodiversity has
been mainstreamed into relevant sectoral/cross-sectoral strategies and plans and their
implementation.
It also describes the progress in implementing the CBD and NBSAP since the preparation of
the 4th national report.
Part III provides the progress towards the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets and contributions to
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5th National Report on Biodiversity of DPR Korea
the relevant 2015 Targets of the Millennium Development Goals.
As well, it describes the progress in implementing the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity
2011-2020 and Aichi Biodiversity Targets, the actions to implement the 2015 Targets for the
Millennium Development Goals and experiences and lessons learned during the course and further
priorities.
Part 1. An update on biodiversity status, trends, and threats and
implications for human well-being
1.1 Importance of Biodiversity Conservation in DPRK
Biodiversity refers to the variability among living organisms of all forms of life and is
intimately connected with human existence.
Biodiversity provides conditions for human survival and material foundations for sustainable
social and economic development and becomes important source of literature, arts and scientific
and technological innovations.
The DPRK is located on the north-east of Asian continent with 122,762.338 ㎢ of territorial
area, and has the Korean East Sea on the east and the Korean West Sea on the west, bordering with
China and Russia between Amnok River and Tumen Rriver on the north.
As a peninsula long stretched from north to south, the DPRK boasts a variety of natural
landscapes including mountains, fields, rivers and coasts with abundant biodiversity for the territory
size.
The number of plant species recorded in DPR Korea is 10,012, among which the number of
higher plant species is 4,426, approx. 1.6% of the global number. And 1,494 species of vertebrates,
8,652 species of invertebrates and 866 species of fishes have been recorded so far.
Such a rich biodiversity becomes a priceless asset for developing national economy including
agriculture, livestock breeding, fruit farming, forestry, aquiculture, bee-farming, and cultivation of
herbs, as well as provides human health, cultural and emotional life.
Biodiversity provides enormous socio-economic benefits in agriculture such as the breeding of
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5th National Report on Biodiversity of DPR Korea
new varieties, the increase in agricultural production, the improvement of soil fertility, fertilization
of crops, the production of various foodstuffs, the solution of rural energy and so on. And also in
forestry it provides various benefits and ecosystem services including the production of timber,
herbs and fruits, the conservation of habitats for wild animals and its utilization, prevention of soil
erosion and flood, and storage and purification of water. Likewise it brings great economic benefits
to fishery, floriculture and tourism. It also becomes a basis of “bio-industry” such as
biotechnological and pharmaceutical industry.
Lots of artists, writers and actors have described, via their arts and literatures, the rich
biodiversity of the country, which make Korean people have an ardent love for their motherland.
Recently, lots of people take growing interests in environment protection and nature
conservation with a deep understanding of which the biodiversity is a basis of natural resources and
a fundamental key for the sustainable development of related field such as ecotourism and
recreation.
And they have been developing tourism in Mt. Paektu, Mt. Myohyang, Mt. Kumgang, Mt.
Chilbo and Mt. Kuwol, well known as worldwide scenic spots and the other rest areas all over the
country with special landscapes so that they are increasing the value of cultural services from
ecosystem and rasing standards of cultural and emotional lives, and get the economic benefits.
Recent changes in eco-environment in DPR Korea highlights the importance of biodiversity
conservation.
Biodiversity attracts increasing attention of the international community due to its significance
in the national/regional socio-economic development, and becomes a hot topic after climate change.
1.2 Status and Trends of Biodiversity
1.2.1 Status of Biodiversity
DPRK, located on the north-east of Asian continent, is characterized by vertically and
horizontally complicated topography with many mountains and rivers and long coastline. Among
the whole territory of DPR Korea, the mountainous area covers the largest of about 74.7%, while
the agricultural area occupies 15.2% and the water area does about 6.2%.
Thanks to long and complicated coastline, it has various coastal ecosystems as well as rich and
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abundant diversity.
Number of plant and animal species
The number of plant species recorded in DPRK so far is 10,012, including 4,426 species of
higher plants which accounts for about 1.6% of the number of plant species worldwide.
And the number of chordate species recorded so far is 1,494, among which vertebrate covers
1,436 species and one of invertebrate is 8,652 species, among which insect species covers 6,257.
In DPR Korea, there are 107 species of mammalians (79 species of terrestrial ones and 20
species of marine ones), 420 species of birds, 866 species of fishes (190 species of fresh water fish,
676 species of sea fish, 17 species of amphibians, and 26 species of reptiles).
Status of the Threatened Plants and Animals
“Red Data Book” (Plant, 2004) classified the endangered/rare plant species among indigenous
plants with the conservation category (from 1st to 4th), where 8 species belongs to the 1st category,
10 to the 2nd, 17 to the 3rd and 20 to the 4th.
The 1st category includes Quercus neoglandulifera, Celtis edulis, C. cordifolia, Rosa
kokusanensis, R. Jaluana, Lespedeza sarmentosa, Steartia pseudo camellia and Lonicera coreana.
The common endangered/rare plants covers 108 species in total, of which 8 species belongs to
the 1st category including Juniperus coreana, and Panax ginseng, 21 to the 2nd, 34 to the 3rd, and 35
to the 4th.
Following Table 1-1 shows the rank of threatened plant species of DPRK throughout the whole
East Asia area.
Table1-1: Threatened Plant Species in DPRK
Rank Threatened species in DPR Korea Threatened species of East Asia
Quercus neoglandulifera Neottinanthe cucullata
Critically Celtis cordifolia Goodyera repens
Endangered Stewartia pseudocamellia Lilium dauricum
(CR) Megaleranthis saniculifolia
Deutzia coreana
Endangered Celtis edulis Pseudostellaria sylvatica
(EN ) C. choseniania Viola websteri
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Drosera anglica
Forsythia densiflora
Albelia tyaihyoni
Nymphaea minima Taxus cuspidata
Lindera salicifolia Linium hasonii
Vulnerable
Syringafauriei Gastrodia elata
(VU)
Albelia mosanensis Rhododendron micranthum
Brasenia schreberi
The threatened species of mammals and birds are classified considering the status of the whole
Asian area
The table 1-2 shows the threatened species of vertebrates in DPR Korea.
Table 1-2. Threatened species of vertebrates in DPR Korea
Classification CR EN VU Total
Community
Mammals 1 5 8 14
Aves 2 6 13 21
Reptiles 2 3 5
Amphibians 1 2 3
Total 3 14 26 43
As Table 1-2 shows, the threatened species of mammals accounts for 17.7% of terrestrial ones,
aves for 5.0%, reptiles for 19.2% and amphibians 17.6%.
The threatened birds in the coastal area of the Korean West Sea is 21 species (among which 1
CR, 6 EN, 14 VU species), while the one in the coastal area of the Korean East Sea is 16 species (1
CR, 5 EN, 10 VU species).
Status of genetic diversity
During the past 4 years in DPR Korea, lots of new super-varieties of economical significance
have been bred and used for national economic development. A lot of new varieties have been
developed in agriculture, fruit farming, livestock breeding, fish culture and horticulture.
In 2012, the Pyongyang Floriculture Institute has bred hundreds of new varieties of flowers and
the Institute of Crop Variety under the Academy of Agricultural Science has built the database for
collection, preservation, management and use of crop genetic resources by developing and
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introducing the information system of crop genetic resources in 2009.
Though the assessment on the loss of genetic diversity is now underway, but the conservation
of genetic diversity is faced with some difficulties from finance and equipments.
1.2.2 Trends of biodiversity
In DPR Korea, forest takes up most part of the territory, and thus, farming land is extremely
limited. Among the territorial land, the forest and farming land accounted for about 74.7% and
15.2% respectively, and the area of them per capita in 2011 is 0.38 ha and 0.08 ha, respectively.
Figure 1. Land use in 2011
Recently, owing to the global warming, the forest limitation in northern highlands shows the
rising trend and the distribution area of alpine plants is decreasing. As it is the highest area in DPRK,
the changes in the main plant communities are observed in Mt. Paektu area. The limiting line of
forest in Mt. Paektu Biosphere Reserve has been widened about 1,200m to the north and about 50m
to the upside vertically and for the past 47 years.
The Analysis of the Landsat TM data in 1995, 2000 and 2006 identified the increase of Abies
nephrolepis-Picea jezoensis community and purple eulalia community in Mt.Paektu and Taethaek
areas (via the field survey of Samjiyon County on August 2010).
The distribution area of traditional alpine plants such as Betula fusenensis, Ribes ussuriensis,
Sabina sargentii, Rhododendron chrysanthum, Berberis koreana, Rhododendron brachycarpum are
decreasing in the northern highlands including ChailPeak.
In addition, Salix rorida, Salix hallaisanensis and Betula gmelini, known to be distributed in
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the area lower than 1700m high above sea level, and about 10 species of birds in the area lower than
forest limitation are found at Lake Chon of Mt. Paektu BR located in 2000m high above sea level.
The investigation on the annual ring of pine tree and Mongolian oak according to the altitude
in Pukdaebong Mountain Range and Masikryong Range revealed that the rising speed of forest belt
has reached to 2.1~3.7m in 10 years.
This resulted in the decrease of subalpine plant belt and Abies nephrolepis-Picea jezoensis
forest belt and threatened the natural extinction of some species including Taxus cuspidata in this
area.
And the wild berry tree, the traditional and economic species of Mt. Paektu BR is decreased in
its distribution range according to the change of land cover of high tree layer.
8 species of middle and southern plant including Lespedeza robusta, Acer ginnala var.
divaricatum, Cynanchum japonicum, Eragrostis poaeoides, Limnorchish ologlottis, Pterygopleurum
neurophyllum, Angelica distana, Aceru kurunduense var. pilosum are added to the alpine plant list
of northern area including Ryanggang Province and North Hamgyong Province.
Through the presumption on the change in the cultivation limit of subtropical plants when the
annual mean temperature rises by 2 according to the global warming, some scientists revealed that
it would be possible to cultivate various subtropical plants in the coastal areas of the middle part
and even in the North Hamgyong Province when the annual mean temperature in this area rises over
12-13 .
1.3Main Threats to Biodiversity
The major threats to biodiversity in DPRK are the overuse of natural resources beyond the
ecological limitation, esp. Impacts of soil and water loss by deforestation, habitat loss, the invasive
alien species, environmental pollution and climate change.
1.3.1 Overuse of natural resources
The excessive use of bio-resources is the main threat causing negative impacts on biodiversity
across the country, inter alia the decrease of forest area caused by over-deforestation.
In DPR Korea, the area of forest land accounts for 8927300ha (74.7% of the territory), which
include 7643200ha of timber forest, 876,800ha of non-timber forest and the rest of non-forested
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land.
The increase of non-timber forest is mainly caused by over-deforestation, reclamation of arable
land for solving tense food problem and the increase in the use of timbers owing to the lack of rural
energy.
The decrease of forest resources causes the loss of soil and water resource, so do the
reclamation of sloping land into agricultural land and its unsustainable use.
According to the increase of treeless lands, the flooding of soil and sand causes the destruction
of the river ecosystem, followed by negative impact on the coastal ecosystem as well.
It also causes the decrease of fishery resources inter alia, inland and coastal ones.
The main cause of decreasing marine resources is habitat destruction and over fishing.
The excessive collection of medicinal plants and wild animal hunting are also the threats to
biodiversity conservation.
1.3.2 Habitat loss
The main factor that endangers wild species is the degradation or loss of habitats
The fragmentation of natural habitat and habitat loss decrease the number of endangered
mammal species.
Degradation of forest ecosystems lead to habitat fragmentation and impact the survival of large
mammals such as Brown bears (Ursus aritos) and the degradation of river ecosystem, threatens
species such as European otter (Lutura lutura).
The wetland loss directly influence on the existence of large body waterfowls such as Grus
japonensis, and G. vipio.
The habitat loss in freshwater deteriorates the biological productivity in water area by cutting
the life cycle of freshwater fish.
1.3.3 Invasive alien species and environmental deterioration
The water pollution by industrial and household wastes causes the eutrophication of rivers,
lakes and reservoirs and it negatively impacts on the biodiversity of waters.
The deterioration of water quality in rivers and streams has also the sequence influence on
marine ecosystem.
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At present, the rivers, lakes and reservoirs are polluted, and by which the biodiversity of water
ecosystem is degraded due to the inadequate infrastructure of some cities and irregular operation of
sewage treatment plants due to the energy shortage and old facilities.
Invasion of alien species is one of the main causes of biodiversity loss.
Dryocosmus kuriphilus and Matsucoccus pini migrated from north and Lecidomyia brachyntera.
Lissorhoptrus oryzopholisfrom south have greatly damaged the forestry and agriculture.
In addition to this, Ambrosia artemisfolia cited for plant becomes one of the serious challenges.
Therefore, it is very important to pay great attention to establish the infrastructure for early
discovery, rapid response, strict control and prevention of wide spread of alien species.
1.3.4 Climate change
The climate change and warming cause the negative impact to biodiversity and habitat change.
Picture 1: Change in temperature for the last 40 years around Mt.Paektu Biospehre
Reserve (1971-2010)
Alpine ecosystems are the most sensitive to global warming, and the rise of forest zones by
global warming has greatly damaged the typical alpine plants.
Lots of plant and animal species are in danger of extinction; 6 species in alpine and sub-alpine
plant zone, 21 in north area and 4 in the middle are the most vulnerable to climate change and they
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showed the decrease in their population.
The growing speed of 12 plant species are getting slow and the rate of seed germination
becomes low due to the desertification by climate change.
The climate change also impacts on the distribution and migration of biological resources.
Recently, Ficus carica, the sub-tropical fruit tree is successfully cultured in nature in the southern
area of Sariwon and Diospyros chinensis known to be grown in the southern part of Kangwon
Province and South Hwanghae Province are growing in the northern area including South Phyongan
Province.
Lespedeza robusta, Acer ginnala var. divaricatum, Taxus caespitosa, Eragrostis poaeoides,
Platanthera hologlottis, Edosmia neurophylla, Angelica distana and Acer ukurunduense var.
Plosum, recorded only in middle and southern areas in the last period have been evaluated to be
moved its distribution to northern area.
The temperature rising also threatened the wetland plants.
For example, Nymphaea pygmaea var. minima, the endemic plant, growing in the pool and
pond has possibility to lose its habitat by frequent high temperature and drought.
The global warming has greatly damage the forest, agriculture and marine ecosystem causing
the high temperature, drought, flood and forest fire.
1.4 Impacts of changes in biodiversity for ecosystem services and the socio-
economic and cultural implications of these impacts
Biodiversity loss by over-exploitation of natural resources has adverse impact on the ecosystem
service function and reduces the agricultural production and also the pharmaceutical industry of
Koryo Medicine.
The loss of forest coverage reduces water infiltration, and increases soil erosion and land
slidings.
Heavy rain and floods have become more frequent in recent years, possibly as a consequence
of climate change, which resulted in the loss of thousands ha of agricultural lands which impact the
people’s life and agricultural production.
The overuse of forest resources and the further conversion of forests and steep slopes to
agricultural production lead to soil erosion and water loss.
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The water quantity of small and medium rivers and streams have been notably reduced which
will cause the poor supply for irrigation, drink water and industrial water.
In particular, the water supply for agricultural irrigation is severely affected.
DPR Korea has about 900 species of medicinal plants of which the most widely used in
pharmaceutical sector are 170 species. Therefore, the excessive use of medicinal resources can
impact on the development of Koryo medical science, the traditional medical science of our country
and even caused the decrease of some plants with economic value.
The loss of natural resources is found in medicinal plant and coastal animals; the distinct
reduction is shown in medical herbs whose roots are used for medicine and in coastal animals such
as Haliotis gigantea and Stichopus japonicus.
1.5Future Changes for Biodiversity and their impacts
DPRK has set forth the goal to restore all destroyed forests within coming 10 years through the
general mobilization in nationwide scale.
Nowadays a lot of trees are planted every year through an active and all -people campaign on
the occasion of planting months in spring and autumn.
The whole ecosystem will have positive change if the forest ecosystem is restored which takes
important part in biodiversity.
Great progress will be achieved in the protection of threatened species by improving their
habitat through afforestation.
The highlightened function of forest including prevention of soil erosion, water infiltration and water
purification will provide the improvement of soil quality of agro-ecosystem, increment of water
quantity and safe agricultural production.
Under the promoted organic farming in the country, the public awareness on the significance of
agro-biodiversity will be helpful to the development of safe and sustainable agriculture.
The improvement of agricultural ecosystem in the coastal areas will be followed by the better
feeding conditions for plankton and marine life and crop productivity will positively impact on
biodiversity conservation of marine ecosystem by controlling the over exploitations.
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Part II: The national biodiversity strategy and action plan, its
implementation, and the mainstreaming of biodiversity
2.1National Biodiversity Strategy and Action plan
COP 11 called for Parties to develop the national biodiversity targets using the global strategic
plan and targets in accordance with the national priority and ability.
And it also requires for the Parties to review and modify the national strategy and action plan
in line with the global strategy and report it to COP 12.
In pursuance of the CBD, DPR Korea had developed a National Biodiversity Strategy and
Action Plan in 1998 with the support from GEF / UNEP.
The National Strategy and Action Plan includes the strategic issues and actions for carrying out
the priorities in biodiversity conservation, its sustainable use and benefit sharing in order to protect
the ecosystem and fully implement its obligation of the party to CBD.
After the 1st NBSAP developed in 1998, DPR Korea has still face the challenges such as the
decrease in bio-resources, its unsustainable use and deterioration of ecosystem and environment,
due to the continuous natural disasters and difficult economic conditions.
Under such circumstances, for the full implementation of the CBD, DPR Korea has taken
several national measures and activities including the promotion of greening the whole country, the
expansion of protected areas, improvement of watershed management and the development of
agricultural production.
For further conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, the Government of DPR Korea
updated NBSAP with the support from UNEP in December, 2005 and September 2007.
The updated NBSAP had set out 3 priority areas and 20 targets for biodiversity conservation
and its sustainable use in DPRK.
The updated NBSAP was a milestone for DPR Korea in implementing the requirements of the
CBD, and contributed to promoting biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in DPR
Korea through its implementation.
The National Conference on Land and Environmental Protection, held in April 2012 was the
important occasion for people to enjoy the actual benefits from biodiversity through biodiversity
conservation and its sustainable use.
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The Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un issued the immortal work “On bringing about a
revolutionary turn in land management as required by building the socialist powerful nation” on
April 27, 2012.
The Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un put forwarded the following tasks;
- Prevent the soil loss by promoting the land protection and solve the food problem
through land improvement
- Promote the afforestation of bare mountains within 10 years and improve the forest
protection and management
- Strengthen the water management and marine resource
- Take measures to prevent the pollution
- Regularly investigate the animal and plant and their habitats
- Expand the protected areas and protect the threatened and rare animals and plants
and measure taking for biodiversity conservation
The tasks set forwarded are the guidelines for biodiversity conservation and its sustainable use
and the framework for the preparation of updated NBSAP mainstreaming the 2011-2020 Aichi
targets
The Government of DPRK has reviewed the 2011-2020 global biodiversity strategic targets
and updated NBSAP by setting the biodiversity targets and integrating the considerations for
biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in line with the national situation.
2.2Main Actions to Implement the Convention on Biological Diversity
2.2.1 National Legislations, Policies and Administrative institutions for
Biodiversity Conservation and Its Sustainable Use
The main laws and regulations for biodiversity conservation and its sustainable use have been
legislated in DPR Korea.
The main laws and regulations for biodiversity and its conservation had already mentioned in
4th national report and the legal framework for in-situ conservation has been established by
promulgating “Law on Nature Reserve” which included the articles on the protection of ecosystem,
wild animals and plants in 2009.
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DPR Korea has enacted laws and regulations related to environmental protection and nature
conservation in accordance with requirements of the developing situation in recent years, revised
and supplemented them on several occasions and encouraged the activities for legal and
administrative control over the illegal acts.
And, with the importance of the work protecting global environment, DPR Korea has acceded
to several multilateral environmental conventions and actively cooperated with international
activities under the close contact with international organizations (Table 2-1).
Table 2-1: Environmental conventions/protocols signed by DPR Korea
Conventions/Protocols Date
United Nations Convention on Biodiversity 26 Oct. 1994
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 05 Dec. 1994
Vienna Convention on the Protection of Ozone Layer 05 May 1995
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer 06 May 1995
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants 19 Aug. 2002
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety 29 July 2003
United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification 28 Mar. 2004
Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on
27 Apr. 2005
Climate Change
Basel Convention on Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes
2008.7.10
and their Disposal
Nagoya Protocol on access to genetic resources and the fair and
2012
equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization
2.2.2 Strengthening in–situ and ex-situ conservation
Recognizing the great importance of establishment and management of protected areas, DPR
Korea issued “Law on Nature Reserve” in 2009 and established 63ha of Red crowned crane reserve
in Anbyon Plain, Anbyon County, Kangwon Province in July 2010.
The 2020 biodiversity Strategic Plan adopted in COP 10 noted that by 2020, at least 17 percent
of terrestrial and inland water, and 10 percent of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of
particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved through effectively
and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well connected systems of protected areas
and other effective area-based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscapes and
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seascapes.
In order to implement the global strategic plan, the Government has expanded the number and
area of reserves and designed the reserve network based on the specific natural geographical
conditions and the current status of ecosystem service function.
Activities for developing topography map, distribution map for rivers and streams, vegetation
map, simulation map for plant community distribution respond to climate change in existing
reserves and establishing new reserve networks in ecological gaps overlapping all maps by GIS
have been undertaken.
As a result, 23 regional reserve networks including Mt. Paektu BR Network, Songjinsan
Reserve Network, Mt. Chilbo Reserve Network, Chail Peak Reserve Network, Mt. Oga Reserve
Network, Mt. Rangrim Network. Mt. Myohyang BR Network, Mt. Kuwol BR Network, Mt. Chuae
Reserve Network, Mt. Taegak Reserve Network and Mt. Kumgang Reserve Network have been
designed.
In particular, in the process of preparing “Periodic Review of Mt. Paektu Biosphere Reserve”
in 2012, the current status of reserves were reviewed and the threats to protection and management
of reserved, rational management methods and measures for reserve expansion were discussed.
The current status and challenges of coastal and marine biodiversity have been re-evaluated to
establish 10% of water areas into protected waters and designating 220000 ha of coastal and marine
water reserves within 12 miles centred on 15 Fish Resource Special Reserves are now planned and
under discussion.
Biodiversity on Mt. Chilbo Natural Park was investigated and summarized via several
meetings with relevant agencies and the nomination document was prepared and submitted it to
UNESCO in September, 2013, and approved in June, 2014.
Restoration of Red crowned crane habitat in Anbyon
The population of Red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) is about 2,700 in the world.
The Red-crowned crane used to overwinter in several places of the middle of Korean
peninsula before 1970s of last century, but thereafter its distribution has gradually contracted to
the narrow areas including the coastal areas of Ryongyon, Kangryong and Chongdan countries
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and the estuary of the River Han at the west while Cholwon County at the east of the country.
In particular, its population wintering in Cholwon County is about 850, occupying
approximately 77% of nationwide population.
The project “Restoration of Habitat for Cranes in Anbyon Plain and construction of
community-based Protected Area” has been started since 2008 in cooperation with Birdlife
International.
The project aims at demonstrating the community- based reserve management integrating the
agriculture and sustainable development in local area through the restoration of habitat for Red
crowned cranes, the threatened species of the world by encouraging the local people to protect
the landed cranes and generalize it.
The project site is 100㎢ of Anbyon Plain in Anbyon County, Kangwon Province.
This area was the wintering area of Red crowned crane in the last period and there still
Anbyon Namdae Stream. Some flocks stop over and fly to Cholwon.
The Red crowned crane in Anbyon Plain is designated as national natural monument
(No.421) and 63 ha in Anbyon Plain was established as Red crowned crane reserve in July, 2010.
In order to attract Red crowned crane, 1 pair of Red crowned crane and crane decoys were
used, and the favourable conditions such as leaving straws only cutting ears and watering in some
fields were provided
The brochure “Let’s protect Red crowned crane” and article “To protect cranes” were
distributed and they helped much to raise the public awareness of local people and school
students.
And the activities to improve and protect the eco-environment of the local areas have been
successfully undertaken; establish the production base for new organic fertilizer in the
cooperative farm, introduced organic farming and agro-forestry management in slope land, plant
the fast growing willows and feed grass in waterway to prevent the soil erosion and watershed
management and these examples and experiences have been popularized throughout the country.
Thanks to these efforts and activities, tens of Red crowned cranes have landed in this area where
they passed away for about 20 years due to the habitat destruction and flew to the wintering areas
since 2010 and their landing population is increasing year by year.
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Live crane decoy Lured cranes
Based on these experiences, the Government and the relevant research institutions of DPR
Korea are planning to introduce the advanced technology for habitat restoration and promoting
the activities.
The NBSAP highlights the need and importance of Ex-situ conservation and the researches on
ex-situ conservation of wild plant and animals have been actively
At present, Central botanical garden and Centro Zoo play important role in ex-situ conservation
and provincial botanical gardens and zoos are the places to protect and learn about the endangered
and endemic flora and fauna and the ex-situ conservation of agro-genetic resources and medicinal
plants are actively promoted in nationwide.
The Central Botanical Garden has been achieved some successes in scientific research on ex-
situ conservation and the reintroduction of species into the wild.
The Central Botanical Garden has performed the research and experimental works on the
breeding of Korean endemic species of 1 genus, 1 species and the threatened species including Iris
family which is decreasing in North East Asia.
At the Central Zoo in cooperation with the Institute of Zoology, State Academy of Sciences,
progresses have been made in captive breeding of endangered species including goshawk(Accipiter
gentilis), the national bird, Red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis), White–napped crane (Grus vipio)
and White stock and returning them into the nature
According to the national plan, new animal hospital and aquarium were built equipped with
modern facilities in 2011and the nature museum is planned to be built in the Central Zoo.
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Together with this, the provincial zoos are rebuilt and the numbers of captive breeding animals
are growing.
The Plant Exhibition Hall and arboretum was newly built in Mt. Oga Nature Reserve in 2012
and 4000 of trees are growing in arboretum.
With the recognition of importance of in-situ conservation and ex-situ conservation, the
activities to improve the functions of provincial botanical gardens including Samjiyon Botanical
Garden and Mt. Oga Botanical Garden are now undergoing in great national concern.
Releasing the captive breeding animals into nature is further promoted in DPRK and as a result,
20 deer stock farms were built so far in 2012and the number of Cervus hortulorum are increasedinto
thousands.
In 2013, 10 000 of Phasianus colchicus and hundreds of Capreolus capreolus were released
into mountain in North Hamgyong Province.
2.2.3 Intensifying biodiversity survey and monitoring
“Convention on Biological Diversity”, article 7 requests each Contracting Party shall identify
and monitor the components of biological diversity important for its conservation and sustainable
use and maintain and organize biodiversity, by any mechanism data, derived from identification and
monitoring activities.
The NBSAP of DPR Korea highlights the need for developing wildlife inventories and
monitoring them and the establishment of nationwide reserve network.
The Government has striven to undertake the regular survey on animals and plants and their
habitats and take measures to protect the endangered and rare species.
The national wild animal and plant resource consensus was undertaken in 2008-2010 and the
national forest resource consensus that undertake every 10 year was followed in 2010.
In Migratory Bird Reserves including Mundok Migratory Bird Observation Station, the regular
investigation and research on the world threatened species such as Black faced Spoonbill (Platalea
minor), Red crowned crane (Grus japonensis), Spoon-billed sandpiper(Eurynorhynchus
pygmeus)have been conducted and the activities for protection and public awareness rising for the
protection of these species are on –going.
The census on Black faced Spoonbill were conducted in 32 investigation sites of 11 areas in
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Korean West Sea coastal area on August and September , 2011-2012 and the population and their
distribution were recorded.
During 3 years from 2009-2011, the survey on freshwater fish resource was undertaken and
identified the total resources amount and changes in each province and its cause and as a result
produced e-publication “Freshwater fish in DPRK” and distributed it for scientific research and
education .
The research project on the assessment of biodiversity in wetland ecosystem completed in 2012
developed the inventory of wetland plant and waterfowls in main wetland of our country.
DPRK has built data base with the investigation results on plant and animals and habitats and
share the information by enhancing the function of Biodiversity CHM.
Biodiversity CHM has built the database on in-situ and ex-situ conservation, invasive alien
species, threatened species according to the 4th National 5 Year Development Plan on Science and
Technology and promoted the regular updating of database by establishing the national network
connecting with relevant agencies, research institutions, gene bank and Biosafety Management
Centre.
Considering the world trend and specific national condition, the forest fire warning assessment
system and forest fire repression decision supporting system by GIS were developed and introduced
in capacity building of firebreak system in Mt. Paektu area and effectively used into practice since
2010.
In addition, as an effective tool for biodiversity monitoring and prediction, it planned to
establish the forest biodiversity long-term monitoring stations in the key areas of biosphere reserves
and is promoting the regular investigation to predict the changes in forest diversity.
2.2.4 Strengthening the conservation and sustainable use of components of
biodiversity
Sustainable use of biological components is vital to sustainable development of agriculture,
fishery and forestry and takes important position in supplying the human health, eco-environmental
protection and the energy demand in future.
Therefore, the Government of DPR Korea has put forward the policy for afforestation and
gardening of the whole country and push forward the activities to restore the destroyed ecosystem
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in nationwide scale.
The Government of the DPR of Korea has prepared the “Long-term National Plan for Forest
Development (1990-2020)” and 10 Year Plan for Forest Development based on the survey
assessment on the current status of forest though the national forest resource census in 2008-2009.
Recently, DPR Korea has promoted the activities to realize 500 000ha of afforestation and 150
000ha of agro-forestry management.
The Government set forth the agro-forest management as an important economic strategy for
food problem, restoration of the destroyed forest ecosystem and sustainable development of
economy and was successful in generalizing the experiences in the whole country.
DPRK has revised and supplemented the article 19 of “Law on forest” and issued its
enforcement regulations and organized and operated administrative institutional framework from
national, provincial, county levels–non-standing consultation body and standing executive body. It
also controls all pilot plots of agro-forestry and promotes this activity in nationwide and all-people
movement.
The effectiveness of agro-forestry has been demonstrated in Suan County in close cooperation
with the local people and it has become a model in forest land-use and afforesting and landscaping
of the whole country.
The agro-forestry management has integrated into General Mobilization for Land Management
Plan and performed it in all-people movement as the main objective for land management activities
in spring.
As a result, 30 000ha were planted in agro-forestry management pilot plots in 2013.
The Ministry of Land & Environmental Protection has introduced the advanced technology for
agro-forestry management form the other countries in cooperation with several international
organizations.
The 3rd and 4thNational Workshops on Agro-forestry Management held in August 2011 and
2013 and the “International Workshop on Forest and Landscape Restoration” in March 2012
provided very good opportunities to exchange the information and sharing the ideas for the
development and introduction of agro-forestry technologies, helpful for forest eco-environment and
people’s livelihood.
Sustainable development of agriculture
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The DPR Korea is a mountainous country covering over 80 % of the whole territory and
agricultural land only takes account 15.2% and most of the farmlands are greatly impacted by the
adjacent forest areas.
For the food security and people’s livelihood, the Government has taken national measures to
increase the production of organic fertilizer by developing livestock and introduce the cycling
production system combined with agriculture and livestock to every unit and encourage them to
improve the soil without depending on chemical fertilizer, controlling pest insects and increasing
the productivity of agriculture and livestock.
It also put forwarded the seed revolution policy and double cropping revolution policy and tries
to raise the land use rate by breeding and introducing high yield seed suitable for double cropping
and expand its area.
Demonstration on organic farming combined with agricultural production structure and
agro-biodiversity has undertaken in every province and some local areas including Kangwon
Province are very active in introducing organic farming.
The large scaled land rezoning and natural waterway making has promoted and the
independent fertilizer production bases were built and reconstructed.
In addition to this, the cyclic production system has widely introduced and the livestock
breeding farms are modernized.
Sustainable development of fishery
In DPR Korea which is washed by three seas and has dense distribution of rivers and streams,
establishing sustainable marine production system by increasing the marine resources while
protecting the water area ecosystem takes an important place in the development of economy and in
improving people’s livelihood.
The Government has taken national measures to develop the freshwater fish farming and
marine culture and successes are achieved in the development of fishery in recent years.
It also strengthened the survey on marine resources, formation and protection of fishery
resources and took measures for fishing rule and fishing ground using regulations in scientific and
rational way.
In the last period, the marine fishery resource has rapidly reduced by over exploitation of some
seashells including sea cucumber and ear shell with high export value and since then, the fishery
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scientific research institutions and fisheries have developed artificial breeding and fish ground
making technologies.
In this context, DPRK has promoted to disseminate the developed technologies for the
increment of freshwater and marine fishery and restore the inland water and marine ecosystems and
increase the number and size of reserves.
2.2.5 Prevention and control of invasive alien species
Emphasizing the importance to early prevent the spread and threat of invasive alien species, the
COP 10 proposed the measures including controlling the invasion route such as export and import,
transportation, establishment of early discovery and rapid response system, strengthening the
regional collaboration, management of invasive alien species in river area and public awareness
raising and information dissemination.
DPR Korea has established its legal and institutional framework to prevent the introduction of
invasive alien species by enacting the “Law on Quarantine of Animal and Plant at Borders” (1997),
“Law on Veterinary Quarantine” (1997), “Law on Hygienic Quarantine” (1996) and “Law on
Bio-safety” (2004). At the moment, Central Epiphytotic Prevention Centre and Central Epizootic
Prevention Centre under the Ministry of Agriculture are the principal organizations in charge of this
work.
Following the expansion of external exchanges and trade in the DPRK, the invasion and spread
of alien species pose a critical problem.
The Government of DPRK has consistently directed its efforts to early discovery and rapid
response system for the prevention of damages by the invaders to agriculture, stockbreeding,
forestry and human health and also to thorough relief and prevention of their spreads.
At present the quarantine work is undertaken in 26 border passes, trade ports and goods
stations but the invasion from South Korea through DMZ poses a serious problem.
The typical alien species that invaded through South Korea include Matsucoccus pini,
Lecidomyia brachyntera and Lissorhoptrus oryzopholis Dryocosmus kuriphilus which effected
several wheat and barley fields in Ryanggang Province is from China.
There are 32 species in the DPRK that belong to the weed quarantine category.
Cecidomyia brachyntera Schrage, appeared in early 1960 and periodically in 1970, 1980 and
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1990 showed the reduction in 2000 but regenerated in 2005, and seriously damaged south Phyongan
Province, North and South Hwanghae Provinces and Kangwon Province at the end of May 2008.
Matsucoccus pini appeared for the first time in North Phyongan Province in 1970 reduced in
the late 1990s but expanded again since 2005.
Recognizing the importance of spread and threat of invasive alien species to biodiversity
conservation and eco-environment, MAB National Committee of DPRK updated the inventory and
conducted assessment on those species in 2012 followed by the publication and dissemination of
“ Inventory and Impact Assessment of Alien Plants in DPRK” to raise the public awareness on
invasive alien species in 2009.
In 2013, the Institute of Biodiversity, State Academy of Sciences has updated the invasive harmful
insect quarantine inventory and included it in alien species database.
It can prevent the damage from pesticides with its correct criteria as the invasive harmful insect
quarantine inventory was developed.
What is important in preventing the damage from invasive alien species is to strengthen a step
further the abilities of border quarantine units and perform a real time survey of outbreak, spread
routes, fluctuations in the spreads in the regions prone to invasions and carry out extermination of
the alien species thereby removing the threats to biodiversity.
2.2.6 Strictly controlling pollution and ecological damage
The DPRK’s government has consistently pursued the policy of environmental protection,
especially taking thorough measures of preventing environmental pollution in order to protect its
nature, make the country more beautiful and to protect the health of its people.
The government legislated the measures to control the air and environmental pollution in
several laws including “Law on City Planning” (2003), “Law on Preventing Pollution of Taedong
River” (2005), “Law on environment Impact Assessment”(2006), “Law on Wastes
Handling”(2007).
To prevent air pollution, the government has made the factories and enterprises that generate
pollutant gases and dust to install dust arresters and ventilation facilities, and regularly maintain and
modernize them and took measures to relocate such factories and plants out of cities and residential
areas.
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Since 2009, all the factories and enterprises introduced the management system combined with
eco-environment technology and production and strictly prevent the environmental pollution and in
2011, new wastes handling method by eco-engineering green purificationwas developed and
introduced.
The DPR of Korea has relatively abundant water resource, but 20% of water resource has
reduced due to frequent flood, drought and forest destruction by climate change.
The portion of quantity of water use in quantity of water resources has increased from 11.2% in
the 1990’s to 18.6% in 2000 for economic development and growth of population (Figure 2-1).
Portion of water use in 2008 was 30% for industry, 62% for agriculture and 8% for life (CBS,
2011).
Figure 2-1: Share of water use in water resources (%)
In 2008, the government established the “Integrated Management Plan for Land and
Environment in the Taedong River” to improve the water quality, prevent flood damage, and supply
water and electric power to different branches of the national economy.
River improvement projects have included dredging the riverbed to remove accumulated
pollutants, bank stabilization, wastewater treatment capacity building, water quality monitoring,
periodic water exchange with clean upper stream water, and tree planting in riparian zone. Taedong
River water quality has been temporarily improved.
Recently, DPRK is directing much effort to developing green purification technology including
the use of Pistia stratiotes and widely spreading the successes gained in this field.
Using Pistia Stratiotesto improve river water quality
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